Sharp, Electric Shock-Like Pains After Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation is often accompanied by pain, swelling
and discomfort.These are essentially
normal findings which usually resolve with the passage of time.The
sharp, stabbing, electric shock sensation that you describe frequently occurs
when sensory nerves become inflamed and irritated.This type of irritation is not unusual when
nerves are compressed and stretched.During and after breast augmentation surgery, this is exactly what
happens to the nerves that supply the breasts.The breast implant underneath the breast tissue compresses and stretches
the soft tissue and nerves that supply the breast.In many cases, the process is made worse by
swelling. Patients
often describe a sharp, stabbing, shooting pain that can be very
uncomfortable.These symptoms usually
resolve in 6 to 9 weeks without intervention.In some cases, aggressive massage can desensitize the area and minimize
the pain and discomfort associated with this condition.

The feeling of pins and needles or an electric shock is quite common after any surgery, including a breast augmentation.  These sensations represent irritation to the sensory nerves and generally get much better in time.  Hang in there!  Best of luck!

Thank you for your question.  It is most likely that you nerves are cut, tethered or entrapped in scar tissue. It could also be that they were stretched and went out of commission for a while, and now starting to recover and wanting to let you know they are coming alive. If the symptoms are unbearable, then I would visit with your plastic surgeon. There are some medications that can help with the nerve related discomfort.

I
find this to be an extremely common complaint.I think that it’s partly related to the fact that swelling often
accumulates along the sides of the breasts when you are sleeping, because it is
the most dependent (lowest) area.It
could also be related to the fact that a lot of the nerve input to the breast
comes from the sides, and the nerves get irritated due to the surgery.Rest assured, however, that this will
subside.For most of my patients, this
resolves within 1 to 2 weeks.

It is not unusual to have sharp electrical pains on one side and not the other due to nerve irritation or compression (neuropraxia).